dk127

I've never changed the coolant before, so if what I'm saying here is absurd please don't yell at me too much. I'm just typing it up because it seems like it could save some people the hassle of getting the drain bolt off.

I was at the dealer buying some coolant and i asked the part guy for a washer for the drain plug and he didn't know what i was talking about... So while i went to pay for the coolant, he asked a mechanic and the mechanic said they always bust their knuckles getting the drain plug off so what they do is just open the plug at the bottom of the radiator without taking the cap off... He said the mechanic said it should create a vacuum and even pull the fluid from the reservoir out. Then they take the cap off, and put on one of those funnels with the cap attached to the bottom that looks like this http://www.denlorstools.com/ho....html

fill it with coolant, and keep adding as the level drops. That funnel is supposed to get rid of air as the engine runs.

That funnel is a bit pricey, I'm going to see if i can find a cheap one.

So here are my questions...
1. if you just open the drain plug will all the coolant drain out?
2. should i flush the system? Should I put some distilled water in the system and run the car till the fan comes on and then drain the water to make sure everything gets flushed out?
3. if i flush the system, then how do you make sure that all the water came out? The new premixed stuff says not to add water, so I don't want water left in the system..

I'm thinking if this really works it'll save the hassle of getting that drain bolt off. I've read that its a pain to get off, and if the dealer mechanics are doing this, then maybe this method works...

itrdave

I have never heard of that. I have, on occasion, removed the block plug to drain the engine. Yes - it is somewhat challenging to remove without blood. I am interested in this 'theory' however as I need to do a timing belt / water pump in very near future. I'll try to do some investigation.

Looks like the funnel is just a more convenient method of filling - not worth $20 IMO.

davidnyc

I haven't drained my coolant water in awhile (actually... probably going to do it again next week)... but I think I remember I used a pipe to gain leverage and not draw blood... I also just drained the radiator, then drained the block, tighten things back up and filled with water & water wetter and never had any issue (air in block, etc. etc.)... Maybe I am just lucky?

CWITR

With an 18" breaker bar, you should be able to get the leverage needed without injuring yourself. Worked for me.

Louie

when i was wrenching i used that funnel daily. definitely a time saver but probably not worth it if you only change coolant once in a while. if you can't bust the drain plug loose a half *** way is just removing the bottom radiator hose. just be ready for a big mess. good luck.

Louie~ who wouldn't mind lending out his funnel.

dk127

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Louie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">when i was wrenching i used that funnel daily. definitely a time saver but probably not worth it if you only change coolant once in a while. if you can't bust the drain plug loose a half *** way is just removing the bottom radiator hose. just be ready for a big mess. good luck.

Louie~ who wouldn't mind lending out his funnel. </TD></TR></TABLE>

do i really have to take the bolt or the bottom radiator hose off to get all the coolant out?

Dave-ROR

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dk127 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

do i really have to take the bolt or the bottom radiator hose off to get all the coolant out?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Taking the bolt off is the PROPER way to do it (in addition to the rad itself) and there will be old coolant in the block if you don't. The rad hose works too, but the bolt is cleaner. Just use a big breaker bar then it's not big deal.. or just live with a mix or new or old coolant, just decide which you want more.

HYREV2NR

Call me old school but on all my cars in the past (including my R) I would insert a nozzle from my garden hose in the top of the radiator w/ the drain plug removed, crank the car & allow it to idle for for time.
DO NOT FORGET to set your temp slide control all the way over to heat!
DO NOT TURN ON THE FAN! This will allow the heater core to flush also as the thermostat opens.
As the motor warms & the idle drops, make sure the amount of water going into the radiator is keeping it filled enough that it will not overheat. This method will for sure flush out ALL the old coolant. Good luck.

TypeR1461

^^^ thats what my friend's and i did.

dk127

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HYREV2NR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Call me old school but on all my cars in the past (including my R) I would insert a nozzle from my garden hose in the top of the radiator w/ the drain plug removed, crank the car & allow it to idle for for time.
DO NOT FORGET to set your temp slide control all the way over to heat!
DO NOT TURN ON THE FAN! This will allow the heater core to flush also as the thermostat opens.
As the motor warms & the idle drops, make sure the amount of water going into the radiator is keeping it filled enough that it will not overheat. This method will for sure flush out ALL the old coolant. Good luck.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I thought this was bad because the water from your garden hose isn't distilled... impurities in the radiator and block... no?


So heres another question, what exactly does that drain bolt do? make sure all the coolant comes out of the block? have any of you actually reused that washer?

HYREV2NR

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dk127 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I thought this was bad because the water from your garden hose isn't distilled... impurities in the radiator and block... no?


So heres another question, what exactly does that drain bolt do? make sure all the coolant comes out of the block? have any of you actually reused that washer?</TD></TR></TABLE>I've done this so many times in past years & never had a problem w/ corosion or rust...whatever. But then i flush my system out 2 to 4 times a year.

As far as the washer on the drain bolt is concerned, I've reused mine several time w/ no probs.<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TypeR1461 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">^^^ thats what my friend's and i did.</TD></TR></TABLE> Worked I guess? I've done it for years.

Mugen Mike

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HYREV2NR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i flush my system out 2 to 4 times a year.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Why so often? Seems like a waste of time to me. *shrug*

HYREV2NR

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mugen Mike &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Why so often? Seems like a waste of time to me. *shrug*</TD></TR></TABLE>Just because.